Police Investigating Birkirkara Football Match Which Went From ‘Racist Verbal Abuse’ To ‘Brutal Attack’ And Hospitalisation
The Malta Police Force has confirmed that an investigation is underway after an anonymous Facebook post raised the alarm on a worrying case of racism which allegedly turned violent during a 7-a-side football match.
The post, which appeared on popular forum Expats Malta yesterday, described the frequent challenges faced by an Indian football team in Malta which recently started competing on the island.
“Whenever we play-especially when the opposing team is losing-we often hear offensive remarks like, ‘Go back to your country’ or ‘Go ride Bolt’ or ‘Curry Bast**ds’ or ‘Get up Pus*y, Your Food Order will be Delayed’,” the post started.
In fact, the anonymous poster said that, the situation in an 11-a-side league the team used to play in got so “unbearable”, they had to withdraw and focus only on 7-a-side football, despite actually promoted to the second division in just their second year. “Despite the ongoing racial abuse, we continued playing in this 7-a-side league from 2022 onwards, earning promotion to the first division, winning the Super Cup, and finishing as league topper,” the post continued.
However, last Thursday, things allegedly took a more sinister turn, with the verbal abuse becoming much more physical.
View this post on Instagram
“With just three minutes left in a match against a Maltese team, we scored an equalizer,” the post explained. “As expected, the racist insults started again, but we stayed focused and kept playing.”
“Suddenly, one of their players punched our goalkeeper in the face, triggering a brutal attack on our team. There were only nine of us, and we were attacked violently. One of our players was knocked unconscious and had to be rushed to the hospital by ambulance, while several others sustained injuries.”
“Even though one player is laying unconscious on the pitch and being taken to hospital, their players were smiling and making fun of us and were being proud of the heavy punch he made and warning our remaining players that he could do the same on them,” the player continued.
“Football is meant to be a beautiful game, played with skill and passion, where talent determines the winner-not race or nationality,” the post lamented. “It is devastating to see it tarnished by such hatred and violence.”
The post finished by saying the team is now “seeking a competent lawyer who can handle this case fairly, without bias or discrimination”, emphasising that “this isn’t just about us – it’s about ensuring that racism and violence have no place in sports”.
Lovin Malta has since reached out the police, who confirmed that investigations are underway.
“Although no report was lodged with the police, as soon as we were aware of the incident, immediate was taken,” a statement issued by the police said. “Police identified the victim, and an investigation is underway.”
What do you make of this?
READ NEXT: Watch: Sarah Bajada’s Figolli Kits Return For The Third Year In Support Of Puttinu Cares
